George Wright Golf Club
This Donald Ross-designed course is tucked deep in the heart of Hyde Park. Once you're there, you'll find a challenging Depression-era par-70 layout that calls for patience: The two par fives are reachable in two shots only for the longer hitters, while the par fours vary from the very long (the 450-yard #10) to the very short (the 313-yard #2). Holes 8 through 10 can make or break a good round. Expect a good test of all facets of your game, in addition to some considerable time waiting to tee off. This is city golf, after all. 420 West St., Hyde Park, MA .
Simcha
Ari Shemtov’s Israeli-fusion menu is full of gems such as deep-fried feta, chickpea poutine with brisket, and couscous arancini, but it pays to time your contactless pickup order to one of the chef ’s weekly specials (don’t miss the Wednesday-night barbecue package complete with ribs, chicken wings, and a whole smoked snapper). That’s not the only way Shemtov is feeding the community in these tough times: The restaurant also offers a food-share program that provides a “one-size-fits-all” box of provisions at restaurant cost. 370 S. Main St., Sharon, MA 02067, simcharestaurant.com.
December Thieves
Ever feel like you can’t find everything you need to complete your outfit in just one shop? Never fear: Lana Bakarat’s accessories empire spans two storefronts just blocks apart in Beacon Hill. Her collection includes graphic silk scarves from the French label Année, silver-leather open-toed booties from the Berlin brand Trippen, and cowhide clutches handmade in Oregon. And if you get home and realize you still need one last piece to put it all together, click over to her new online store. 51 and 88 Charles St., Boston, MA 02114, decemberthieves.com.
South End Formaggio
Here's one neighborhood shop that wins big on several fronts. Hardcore foodies drool over its petite but unparalleled stock of spreads, produce, and exotic cheeses. Culinary novices appreciate such hard-to-find items as mini-Turkish plums, wild asparagus, and "capers in salt from the Islands of Salinas," thanks to the detailed descriptions that accompany them. Even grifters (the avid samplers and snitchers in all of us) find solace here in the many free tasting plates so generously left about. Don't cook? Take home a helping of duck breast or one of the other carryout dishes. 268 Shawmut Ave., Boston, MA southendformaggio.com.
Jumbo Seafood Restaurant
On any given night you'll find some of the city's top chefs here after work with chopsticks waving. The eight water tanks filled with live seafood make fish and shellfish obvious choices. Crispy calamari with jalapeño peppers go down like popcorn. And whole fish in a sweet and spicy sauce may cause you to look left, then right, then lick the plate if no one's looking. They're all stellar examples of fresh and delicious Hong Kong-style cuisine, but the kitchen also soars with pork chops, garlic-laden fresh pea tendrils, and eggplant. Added bonus: Jumbo stays open into the wee hours of the morning. 5 Hudson St., Boston, MA jumboseafoodrestaurant.net.
Tasting Counter
Considering how chained we’ve been to Zoom during workdays, a meal kit that includes a “virtual interactive dining experience” has to be really, really good to get us in front of a laptop on weekends. Exhibit A: TC@Home, Saturday-night livestreams that guide us through unboxing everything we need to prepare and artfully plate courses of the same haute cuisine — say, dry-aged duck with fermented autumn olive — served at chef Peter Ungár’s innovative fine-dining restaurant. Our rating? Two thumbs-up emojis. 14 Tyler St., Somerville, MA 02143, tastingcounter.com.
ADT Security Systems
They've wired museums, including the Smithsonian. And they'll do free home-security analyses. 11 North Ave., Burlington, MA .
Reggie Macamaux, Rollins Protective Services
Rollins is, of course, a nationwide outfit; you wouldn't want a fly-by-night local protecting your home, would you? Macamaux's been with the firm for three years, and as the greater Boston branch manager, he supervises eight others. He's high on the wireless alarm system these days, a device that hooks into a central station manned 24 hours a day. "We have 'preventive' maintenance checks, 24-hour service, and 24-hour communications with the wireless," he boasts. It's not cheap—$1,900 to $2,400, depending upon the number of doors, windows, and other vulnerable areas—but it's sure a good night's sleep. Burlington, MA
Mandarin Oriental, Boston
With several high-end hotels peppered across the city, Boston is becoming a crowded field for event space. But due in part to its can’t-be-beat location in the heart of the Back Bay, this recently renovated ballroom is a win for the party circuit. The main venue hosts some 600 people, the hotel staff make valet parking a cinch, and you can always sneak downstairs to check out chef Gordon Ramsay’s exclusive Boston outpost, one of the hottest spots in town. 776 Boylston St., Boston, MA 02199, mandarinoriental.com.
Kevin Cradock Builders
Hailing from Jamaica Plain, Kevin Cradock grew up finding inspiration in his neighborhood’s historical architecture, and his admiration for carpentry and traditional craftsmanship is a large part of his company’s foundation (in fact, he even designs his own cabinetry, furniture, and millwork). The firm, which recently marked its 25th year in business, collaborates with a host of local architects and designers to ensure each project is distinctive and long-lasting. 1476 River St., Boston, MA 02136, cradockbuilders.com.
Claudiane Philippe
UX designer, Maggie fashion model, and influencer extraordinaire, Claudiane Philippe is one busy gal:The 30-year-old Waltham native creates content for not one but three Instagram accounts: @cphilipp, a lifestyle blog; @itsclaudiane, focusing on all things beauty; and @nailthecocktail, highlighting Boston’s best cocktails. She’s also bringing awareness to social justice. To wit: To celebrate Black beauty, she posted a different look each day in honor of Black History Month, and throughout the pandemic, she named each of the DIY drinks on her cocktail blog after a person of color who died at the hands of police. Call it style with a whole lot of substance.
Renae Connolly, Moëca
Nothing ends a meal better than an ethereal dessert, and no one makes one quite so otherworldly as Renae Connolly, who’s been spinning sugary tales throughout Boston’s restaurant scene for years. These days she’s at Moëca, the year-old seafood spot from the Giulia team, creating gorgeously executed desserts with a lightness that expertly complements the fish-focused main menu. Her creative frozen treats often play a starring role: think smoked-vanilla-mascarpone gelato with spicy caramel popcorn or a lemon bombe with basil meringue, raspberry-hibiscus purée, and pistachio gelato. 1 Shepard St., Cambridge, MA 02138, moecarestaurant.com.
Summer Shack
There's not a lot of in-between with fried clams. They're either great—or awful. Summer Shack's whole Ipswich clams, though, are beyond excellent: fried to a deep gold, crunchy on the outside and tender within, and not an oily, mushy, or rubbery one in the bunch. A squeeze of lemon is all they need. 149 Alewife Brook Pkwy., Cambridge, MA 2140, summershackrestaurant.com.
Garden of Eden
With seven sumptuous sandwiches named after South End streets, you may have trouble choosing just one. Our favorite: The Union Park a stack of moist chicken breast, melted Swiss cheese, parsley, and mustard vinaigrette served on whole wheat pecan raisin bread. 577 Tremont St., Boston, MA .
Corinne Schippert
Boston is the home to many extraordinary photographers, but even rivals sing the praises of Corinne Schippert. Her work is a delightful blend of artistry, elegance, and fun; she injects a sense of spontaneity into everything (even that often-stiff staple, the group portrait). One of the cameras she uses is panoramic—an option that provides an unexpected and adventurous perspective. 20 Coolidge Rd., Arlington, MA schippertmartin.com.